Heavy painfull periods

by Judy P
(Gloucester, England)

I'm 47, I started using the pill at 16 because my periods were so eratic, I then found out at the age of 26 that I had lots and lots of tiny cysts on my ovaries which was making it difficult to conceive.

I have since had 3 children but finally came off the pill 5 years ago. Ever since my periods have been regular to the day but are getting heavier and more and more painfull, to the point where I don't want to leave the house but of course, I keep going. My hips, back and legs are really painfull, I have headaches and feel really cold and tired the day before I come on. At least 10 days before I come on I start getting really emotional, tearful, angry and generally awful to live with, as I seem to make just an ordinary crisis into a major drama and the end of the world is nigh!!

Recently a friend has told me about natural progesteron after my docotor recomended having a coil fitted that would regulary release progesterone in small amounts. Another friend has had the same coil fitted but dosen't find it of any help at all. Do you think that natural progesterone would work for me? I did your questionaire and my score was very high! Thanks.

Comments for Heavy painfull periods

I just read your blog & had to reply. You see I had same problems as you for many years until, after much research I decided to use Dr John Lee's progesterall. This cream saved my sanity & probably my life! Please don't go down the medicos path as I found they are NOT knowledgeable enough. You really need to research for yourself & make an informed decision about your own body. You won't look back! Good Luck.

May 25, 2011

Heavy painfull periodsby: Wray

Hi Judy It's evident you had PCOS. It is possible to reverse this, and is often nothing more than a lack of vitamin D. It's an inflammatory disorder caused by oxidative stress. But oestrogen, being an inflammatory hormone, exacerbates it. You are now in Peri-menopause when the ratio of progesterone to oestrogen is low. Hence the painful periods, headaches and feeling cold and tired. Anovulatory cycles occur with increasing frequency from about age 35, until we reach Menopause, when the ovaries cease producing viable eggs. Oestrogen drops our temperature, whereas progesterone is thermogenic, raising it slightly. Progesterone is also excellent for headaches too, see here,here,here,here and here. I recommend 100-200mg/day progesterone, dependant on symptoms. But have found for very heavy painful periods that sometimes more is needed. You will have to experiment with the amount. It does take time to getting used to using it, plus time for it to help. I know what you mean about making an ordinary crisis into a major drama, as that occurred to me too! I'm running out of space, so will start a new comment below. Take care Wray

May 25, 2011

Heavy painfull periodsby: Wray

Hi Judy The ignorance surrounding progesterone is remarkable, even amongst doctors. The coil does not contain progesterone, but a progestin, it's no wonder it's not working for your friend! For more info on the dangers of these and other Contraceptives, please read through this page. I feel progesterone could help you, but before considering it's use please read our page on Oestrogen Dominance as this can occur, it's disconcerting if it does.Please have a vitamin D test done, I believe Birmingham hospital is now doing it for about £20. A lack of this causes inflammation, plus it reduces the benefits of progesterone. For more info see the Vitamin D council and GrassrootsHealth websites. Most people in the UK have too low a level, see here,here,here, here,here and here. Take care Wray

Although this web site is not intended to be prescriptive, it is intended, and hoped, that it will induce in you a sufficient level of scepticism about some health care practices to impel you to seek out medical advice that is not captive to purely commercial interests, or blinded by academic and institutional hubris. You are encouraged to refer any health problem to a health care practitioner and, in reference to any information contained in this web site, preferably one with specific knowledge of progesterone therapy.